Deforestation, the combination of logging and clear cutting forests, is threatening the future existence of rain forests throughout the world. In South America's Amazon basin, which contains the largest rain forest in the world, both logging and clear cutting for cattle are growing in popularity. This is due to the economic benefits that the forest's natural resources bring. However, what is being overlooked is what is truly happening to the forest. As much as each tree benefits the loggers and the economy, it ends up hurting both the people of that region and the world as a whole. In reality, deforestation not only kills the forest but some of the most important species that live in it. On top of that, forests also play a vital role in regulating the climate so that humans can survive.(1)

Rain forest are also known for their amazing biodiversity. A thousand trees species alone can be found in a single square acre. But the trees are not the only thing that are very diverse. The Amazon rain forest contains 1/3 of all living species, so you can imagine how many animals must live within its limits. However, the species live their because they coexist in a balance. The death of one species can kill off another, and that another. So deforestation harms plant life as much as animal life. Also, at the same time the size of the forest decreases, their medical importance is being discovered. Plant and animals may hold the answers to cures diseases and infections, but as more and more become extinct, the possibilities for tremendous breakthroughs becomes less and less. "The US National Cancer Institute has catalogued some 3,000 plants with anticancer properties, 70% of which are found in tropical forests."(2) These plants that can hold the answers to saving lives may not ever be able to help us because we forced them into extinction. Unfortunately, it also may be possible that some of these plants may have already seen extinction. The estimated rate of extinction for both plants and animals is 50,000 a year or 140 a day.(3)

As the threat of global warming increases, more and more attention is being paid to where carbon dioxide is both absorbed and emitted, and the leading areas are rain forests. The numbers show that "1/2 of the carbon dioxide emissions that come from Brazil are caused by deforestation."(4) Also each tree that is cut down not only gives off carbon dioxide, but now can no longer absorb it from the atmosphere. One billion tons of carbon dioxide can be absorbed for 800,000 square miles of forest, so if that area is chopped down both the carbon dioxide it contained and can no longer absorb, remain in the atmosphere to warm the planet.(5) So as this cycle continues, the balance of our planet is thrown of its course. Disaster would seem inevitable if times ever came to this point.

As more focus turns to capitalism, less attention with ultimately be paid to the environment. However, when the forests are gone and their beauty can only be seen in pictures, everyone will realize the selfish way that they perceived the world. Without the big picture seen, lives will suffer due to the short term benefits. When the trees are completely removed, the Amazon basin will suffer from massive floods because the horrible soil will not be able to absorb the water. The only solution is to place more forests into parks, however today, only 5% of the world's forests are in them.(6) Then as a result of parks, illegal logging must be completely stopped.

Work Cited:
1. On The Line. Deforestation. 13 May 2002 <http://www.ontheline.org.uk/explore/nature/rainforest/prdeforest.htm>.
2. On The Line. Deforestation. 13 May 2002 <http://www.ontheline.org.uk/explore/nature/rainforest/prdeforest.htm>.
3. Geo Cities. Deforestation. 13 May 2002 <http://www.geocities.com/lucilite/facts.html>.
4. Geo Cities. Deforestation. 13 May 2002 <http://www.geocities.com/lucilite/facts.html>.
5. Geo Cities. Deforestation. 13 May 2002 <http://www.geocities.com/lucilite/facts.html>.
6. Geo Cities. Deforestation. 13 May 2002 <http://www.geocities.com/lucilite/facts.html>.